Toya Perkins and Society: Who Owes How Much, and to Whom?

I was touched by the gravity and injustice of Toya Perkins’ story (“I Never Dreamed I Would See 16,” by Miles Corwin, April 30). For someone so gifted with intellect and a true passion and talent for learning, losing all one’s dreams and goals due to circumstances beyond one’s control (and one unfortunate mistake) would not just be a tragedy for her but, most likely, a great loss for our society as a whole.

If someone were to establish a fund to help Toya, I would jump at the chance to help with the little bit of time and money I have to spare. If enough of us banded together, we could make a positive difference in the life of this young woman and in the world where we all live.

Jeffrey Huffman

Santa Monica

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I was extremely touched by the courage of young Toya Perkins. I am a former teacher and have been procrastinating on a plan to start a nonprofit learning and resource center for students like Toya. This article has given me a renewed interest in the project. In fact, I would love to have her work with me. Her enthusiasm for learning would be a tremendous asset.

Mary DeArmond

Redondo Beach

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Where are you, the folks with more money than you can ever spend, the new millionaires who sport the jewels and luxury cars and designer duds? What are you doing to give a hand up to the Toya Perkinses of our country?

You moguls--Bill, Ted, Warren, Oprah: Where are the foundations for these young people who are at such risk, the ones who will hold the reins of our society in a few years? Luther, Tina, Diana, Whitney, Mariah, Lauryn, Latifah, Jada and Will, Gloria and Emilio, Ricky, Reba, Spike, the Dreamworks 3, the $20-million-a-picture actors, you CEOs, entertainment conglomerates and all you rap stars with more gold than you know what to do with: Will you help?

Esther Spencer

Palm Desert

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Where is the father of Toya’s son? Why isn’t he contributing to the raising of his child?

Did anyone ever discuss with Toya the possibility of giving up her son for adoption? Being a single parent is tough enough as an adult, but for a 16-year-old without any means of support (family or monetary), an incomplete education and dwindling hopes of completing high school, adoption seems to be an option that would benefit both Toya and Kaelen.

I hope Toya is able to beat the odds and succeed in life with her son--and impress on him her love for education.

Stephen Kalpakian

Burbank

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For all Toya’s smarts, how could she get pregnant? Again, we the taxpayers are supposed to feel guilty and bear the burden of welfare and support for a child who should have never been brought into the world.

I care nothing about Toya Perkins. It’s the child we should care about.

James Samsel

Riverside